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Corey Gameiro confident he can take up Griffiths mantle at Sydney FC

The Australia under-20 striker believes he is ready to make the step-up for the Sky Blues.

Sydney FC striker Corey Gameiro insist he is the man to take up the goal scoring mantle from the recently departed Joel Griffiths.

The 33-year-old forward left the Sydney Football Stadium earlier this summer to Chinese Super League club Qingdao Jonoon, after they exploited a clause in his contract, leaving the Sky Blues without a predatory striker to supplement the creative talents of Alessandro Del Piero.

Gameiro now feels it is his responsibility fill the void left by Griffiths and, despite being only 20, feels he has the chance to stake a claim to be Del Piero’s permanent partner next season.

“Joel Griffiths is a great player who has proven himself in the A-League – and nobody needs to tell me what he’s done. His record speaks for itself,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“As a team, it’s sad to lose a player like him because he’s a player who would have helped us.

“But, as an individual, of course, it opens up an even bigger opportunity for me and to prove myself. It gives me a real chance to show what I can do.”

Despite having only one senior goal to his name, scored during a loan spell at Wellington Phoenix last term, Gameiro is confident he can lead the Sydney attack in the 2013/14 campaign after spending the educational phase of his career in the Premier League with Fulham.

“Yes, I’m absolutely ready,” he added “Though I spent three years with Fulham, in a really elite environment that is great for youngsters, you need to get first team football eventually.

“I’ve come to realise that, which is why I’m back in Australia. I know I’m ready to take that step up.”